Daniel 6:7

All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

All {H3606} the presidents {H5632} of the kingdom {H4437}, the governors {H5460}, and the princes {H324}, the counsellors {H1907}, and the captains {H6347}, have consulted together {H3272} to establish {H6966} a royal {H4430} statute {H7010}, and to make a firm {H8631} decree {H633}, that whosoever shall ask {H1156} a petition {H1159} of {H4481} any {H3606} God {H426} or man {H606} for {H5705} thirty {H8533} days {H3118}, save {H3861} of thee {H4481}, O king {H4430}, he shall be cast {H7412} into the den {H1358} of lions {H744}.

All the chiefs of the kingdom, along with the prefects, viceroys, advisers and governors, have met and agreed that the king should issue a decree putting in force the following law: 'Whoever makes a request of any god or man during the next thirty days, except of you, your majesty, is to be thrown into the lion pit.'

All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce a decree that for thirty days anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions.

All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong interdict, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

Commentary

Daniel 6:7 KJV introduces the deceptive plot concocted by jealous officials against Daniel, setting the stage for one of the Bible's most famous accounts of faith and deliverance.

Context

This verse is set during the reign of King Darius the Mede, who had appointed Daniel as one of three chief presidents over the kingdom. Daniel's exceptional administrative abilities and integrity caused envy among the other satraps and presidents. Unable to find any fault in Daniel's work, they devised a religious trap, knowing his unwavering devotion to God. The proposed decree was a political maneuver designed to ensnare Daniel, elevating the king to a temporary, almost divine, status by forbidding petitions to any other god or man for thirty days.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Conspiracy and Jealousy: The verse highlights the destructive nature of envy and how it can lead to elaborate schemes against righteous individuals. The officials recognized Daniel's blameless character but sought to exploit his faith.
  • Usurping Divine Authority: Forcing citizens to petition only the king, and no god, for a month was an attempt to centralize all authority and devotion to the monarch, subtly challenging the ultimate sovereignty of God. This act directly targeted Daniel's primary loyalty.
  • The Test of Faith: This decree was a direct challenge to Daniel's steadfast prayer life and his commitment to the God of Israel, anticipating the conflict detailed in Daniel 6:10.
  • Political Intrigue: It illustrates the cunning and manipulative tactics often employed in ancient courts, where power struggles could lead to severe consequences for those caught in the crossfire.

Linguistic Insights

The term "decree" in Aramaic is dath (Χ“ΦΌΦΈΧͺ), which signifies a binding law or edict. The conspirators ensured it was a "firm decree," emphasizing its unchangeable nature once signed by the king, a characteristic of Medo-Persian law (as mentioned in Daniel 6:8 and Esther 1:19). The phrase "den of lions" refers to a common, brutal form of execution in the ancient Near East, intended to instill fear and ensure compliance.

Practical Application

Daniel 6:7 serves as a powerful reminder that followers of God may face opposition and persecution, not always because of wrongdoing, but sometimes precisely because of their faithfulness and integrity (2 Timothy 3:12). It challenges believers today to consider where their ultimate allegiance lies. When human laws or societal pressures conflict with divine commands, this narrative encourages unwavering commitment to God, trusting in His ultimate deliverance, as seen in Daniel 6:22. It underscores the importance of prayer, even when it comes at a personal cost.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 59:3 (6 votes)

    For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not [for] my transgression, nor [for] my sin, O LORD.

  • Psalms 83:1 (4 votes)

    ΒΆ A Song [or] Psalm of Asaph. Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

  • Psalms 83:3 (4 votes)

    They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

  • Daniel 3:27 (4 votes)

    And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

  • Daniel 3:2 (4 votes)

    Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

  • Psalms 62:4 (4 votes)

    They only consult to cast [him] down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

  • Daniel 3:6 (4 votes)

    And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.